In it, they singled out Iran and North Korea for criticism.

G8 leaders condemned North Korea's communist government for its alleged role in the March 26 sinking of the South Korean navy ship Cheonan that killed 46 sailors.

"Such an incident is a challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond," the G8 final communique said.

"We demand that the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea refrain from committing any attacks or threatening hostilities against the Republic of Korea," the statement said.

The eight leaders expressed grave concerns for the nuclear ambitions of North Korea as well as Iran.

The G8 demanded North Korea "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as proliferation activities, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."

Of Iran's nuclear program, the leaders said: "We are profoundly concerned by Iran's continued lack of transparency regarding its nuclear activities and its stated intention to continue and expand enriching uranium.

"Our goal is to persuade Iran's leaders to engage in a transparent dialogue about its nuclear activities and to meet Iran's international obligations," they said.